Photographic shutter



May 11 1925. 1,584,408

G. W. TOPLIFF ET AL PHOTOGRAPHIC SHUTTER Filed Feb. 4.- 1924 2 ShetS -Sheet 1 INVENTORS 650K615 M/ EPA/FF CARL BDRNMANA/ ATT NEY May 11 ,1926. I 1,584,408

I 6., W. TOPLIFF ET AL PHOTOGRAPHIC SHUTTER Filed Feb. 4, 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR 650%? 14 EFL/FF CARI. BURN/MANN Patented May 11, 1926,

UNITEDTSTATES Yo K.

rnoro'eimrnrc SHUTTER.

hpnlication'filed February 4, 1924. Serial K0. 690,479n

Our invention relates to photography and has to do particularly with photographic shutters for cameras.

A familiar type "of photographic shutter in general use today comprises besides the lens mount, shutter leaves and mechanism for o erating the same, devices for regulating the various s eeds at which an exposure may be made. 1 vided with a diaphragm of one type or another by means of which the effective a. erture of the lens is controlled. These s utters are usually provided on the face thereof with s Ieed indicating characters such as.T (in icating time exposure) and Y B (indicating bulb exposure) and 25,

.50 and 100 (indicating the various shutter speeds for instantaneous exposures or ,snapshots in the fractional parts of a sec- 0nd). There may be more or less of these indicating characters designating faster or slower speeds than those above indicated, but those mentioned are illustrative and suflicient for a description of this invention.

, It is a well known principle ofphotography thatin using a shutter of the charac- .ter described both the speed controlllng elem nt and the diaphragm aperture must be taken into consideration and properly adjusted when making an exposure. For instance, when the speed' controlling element. is set for a high speed exposure or snapshot say at, 100, the diaphragm aperture should be comparatively large to admit the maximum. amount of light consistent with thedepth to be obtained in the photograph. I When the shutter is set for slower speeds, however, as 50? or 25, the dia hragm should, under ordinary light conditions, be

. adjusted'to a relatively smaller aperture to v increase the d'epth'in the picture. Similarly when the speed-controlling elements is set for bulb ortime eXpOSures'the'dia hragm should be adjusted to render the aperture still smaller, such as F. 22 The theory of this is well known to those skilled in the art and therefore requires no further detailed explanation Here.

Heretofore it has use of shutters of this type to'inake the two. adjustments spoken, of, one; forad'usting the speed control and one for adj usting the diaphragm. It is the-primary object of this invention to provide ineans whereby both of these adjustments or operationsare accomuch' shutters are also probeen necessary" in the lished simultaneously and automatically 1y one setting. 5 v

A further object is-to provide a connection between the speed controlling element and the diaphragm adjusting element whereby movement of one will result in the movement of the other.

Another object is to provide a shutter of the character-described with a single opera.t-'

ing member for adjusting the speed control and the diaphragm.

Itis also an object to make this improvement in such a way as not to change materially the appearance or operation of the hutter.- M v More specifically our objectis to provide a photographic shutter which when adjusted for the various instantaneous expo? sures, automatically and simultaneously adjusts the diaphragm to correspondingly comparatively large apertures and when the shutter-1s set for bulb or time exposures the diaphragm is similarly automatically ad justed to relatively smaller apertures.

A further and important object is to provide a shutter with two settings only, one for time exposures, and one for instantaneous exposures at substamally' 7 of a second, and'to provide means whereby the setting of said shutter to time or instantaneous automatically adjusts the diaphragm to a correspondingly small and large aperture,

Itwill be readily seen from the foregoing that our invention contemplates a shutter which will ositively eliminate. forgetfulator inadjusting his shutter proper] for PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE w. rormrr an (mm. BOENMANN, 0E nmenm'ron, NEW YORK, A's-- srenons T0 Ansco rno'rornonuc'rs, mcoaromrnn, 0E BRoomE COUNTY, newnessand care .essnesson the part of the operaan exposure. This is a highly desirable feature in that it renders theshutter very simple in operation and requires ,no study use; Other objects and advantages in deeing had to the accompanying drawin s "whereinlikereference numerals indicate like parts.

. In the drawing:

' Figure 1 is a face view of a shutter iiius trating our invention; the controlling element being shown set for instantaneous exposure or snapshot at -3- of a second. It

dotted liness'et for time is also shown in exposures. v Figure 2 1s a face Vie of olir improyed' ioo ilo

05 i or skill on the part of the operator in its shutter. with the lens and cover plate removed, the setting of the control element being the same as that shown in Fig. 1.

. Figure 3 is similar to Fig. 2 showing the controllingelement in full lines *set for a speed of of a second. The element is a so shown in dotted lines in this figure in the position it would assume when set for bulb exposure.

Figure 4 is similar to Fig. 2 showing the controlling element set in position for time exposure. I

Figure 5 shows a modification of our invention in the form of a shutter provided with two settings only, time and. instantaneous, the shutter leaves being removed to show the diaphragm.

Figure 6 shows this modified shutter set for instantaneous and Figure 7 shows the same set for time exposure.

Figures 8 and 9 are details showing clearly the connection between the speed element adjusting means and the diaphragm adjusting means.

Referring now particularly 'to Figures 1 to 4-. we'have indicated generally by the reference numeral 1 a photographic. shutter provided with a lens 2; 2 refers to the usual shutter leaves. The face plate 4 is mounted on the front of the shutter by means of screws 5 or by any other suitable means, and is provided on the upper part of its face with speed indicating characters 6.

As heretofore explained, these characters 6 may vary in number and kind according to the type of shutter mechanism used and usually include the letter fT indicating time-exposure, and the letter B indicating bulb exposure, and the numbers 25, 50 and 100 indicating respectively fractions of a second during which the shutter will remain open for making the exposure.

- The shutter 1 also includes the diaphragm here indicated by the reference numeral 7 (see Figs. 5 to 7) and which may be of the iris type shown or of any other suitable design. 8 has reference to the diaphragm adjusting ring which is usually placed on the back of the shutter and which has connection with the diaphragm so operating that when the ring is turned in one direction the light aperture will be reduced in size and when moved in the opposite direction,

will enlarge such aperture;

In the drawings illustrating this lnvention we have shown a shutter diaphragm of the iris type having a plurality ofp1voted leaves 7 connected in any suitable manner (not shown) with the ring 8, the leaves cooperating to define a light-aperture or opening in the center of the'shutter. The construction of this diaphragm is well known in the art as is its operation. Suffice it to say here that rotation of the ring 8 in one direction causes the leaves 7 to close .the center of the ring.

toward the center reducing the size of the aperture andv when movedin the opposite d rection to open from the center, thus enlarging the aperture. Our invention contemplates the use of other types of shutter dia hragms than the iris and we do not limit ourselves, therefore, to the kind shown which is illustrative only.

The ring 8 is provided at one point in its circumference with an operating member or finger iece .9 extending from the ring at the back of faceplate 4 of the front. The end 10 of the finger 9 is turned inwardly over the face plate forming a pointer or indicator memr d rectly above the characters 6 on the face plate.

Encircling the lens mount 11 on the face 'of'the shutter is a cam ring 12rotatable thereon. This cam-ring is provided with an upstanding ear or lug 13 having an opening 14 therethru for the reception of the end 10 of the finger piece ondiaphragm adjusting member'9. In this way it will be seen that the speed controlling element 12'an'd the diaphragm adjusting element are connected so that operation or movement'of one results in similar movement of the other.

1 Furthermore, as will be obvious from the drawing and foregoing description, this connection between the speed controlling element and the diaphragm adjusting or controlling element is fixed and permanent. In other words, these two gcontrolling elements are so connected that they can not be dis --connected, thus always insuring their simultaneous operation in proper relation to one another and rendering it impossible for an unskilled or careless operator to make an im roper relative adjustment of said, contro ling elements.

The cam ring 12 is enlarged at one point as at 14 and in such enlarged portion is provided a slot 15 arranged concentric with no end of this slot is widened forming two openings 16 and 16", the latter being nearest the end of the slot and larger than the other. Projecting up- Wardly from the shutter operating mechanism (not. shown) into the Sl0hl5 is the end 17 of a lever which cooperates with the slot 15 and its enlarged portions 16 and 16 in a manner about to be described.

The construction and operation; of these parts is well known and form no part of this invention. In explanation, however, it may be said that when the cam ring 12 is moved to the position shown in Fig. 2 and in full lines in Fig. 3 the lever 17 is confined in the narrow portion of the slot 15 and is consequently so limited in its movement that. upon operation of the trigger 3 the shutter is opened and closed by one movement of said trig er for an instantaneous exposure. When 1; e cam ring 12 is moved the shutter to a point slightly over the to the position shown in dotted lines in Fig.

3 however, the'lever 17 is permitted a slight .downward movement into the opening 16 this permits t e shutter leaves 2 to remain to close.

open when the trigger?) is operated, until said trigger is again manipulated when the lever 17- will resume its normal position as shown in Fig. 4 permitting the shutter leaves This movement or setting of the shutter is for time exposures. The details of the lever 17 and the shutter mechanism to which it'is cormected and by means of which the above operations are accomplished have not been shown in this application in asmuch as they, are more or less conventional and well known in the art, and as before stated, form no part of this invention.

Opposite the enlarged portion 14* of the cam ring 12 is a notch or depression '18 in the periphery of the camring. On one side of this depression the periphery of the ring slopes gradually upward to a high point 19 while on the opposite side of the depression the periphery rises abruptly toa high point 20. Cooperating with the cam surfaces formed on the ring 12 by the depression 18 and its adjacent'cams 19 and ,20 is the projecting end 20 of a lever extending upwardly thru anfopening 21 from the mechanism (not shown) contained within the shutter, controlling. the actual speed .at'which the shutter leaves-open and close when operated thru the medium-of the trigger 3. A small. spring 22 anchored at 23 and extending around a post 24: has its free end bearing against the. lever 20 and normally forces said lever into engagement with the peripheral surface of the cam ring 12.

Explainingthe operation of the parts just described;'assuming the cam ring 12 to be, adjusted 'to the position shown in 2 which is for an mstantaneousexposure at the high speed of' -gth of a second, it will be noted that the lever 20 is forced outwardly to the limit of its movement and against the action of the spring 22, by the high point 19 of the sloping 'cam surfaceadjacent the de= pression 18. As is well known such position of the: lever 20 places the mechanism for actuating the leaves 2 under great tension so that the oppning and closing of said leaves may be accom lished at the high Q speed indicated, name y -wth of a second. Movement of the cam' ring 12 to the position shown in fulllines in Fig. 3 which is the setting for an instantaneous exposure at This is known as a bulb exposure;

'jacent the depression 18.

3 th of a second, brings; the lever 20 into I the depression 18 in which position it per- 'mits the mechanism controlling the shutter leaves 2 to open and close said leaves'at 'a retarded rate of speed for the slower exposure of th of a second upon manipulation of the trigger 3. Obviously, it will be seen that if the controlling ring 12 is moved to a position intermediate- 100 and to the position for the th of a second exposure, the lever 20 will be engaged by the sloping surfaceof the cam between the depression 18 and the high point 19.

It will be readily understood that in this position the speed controlli g mechanism fdr the leaves 2? will be only slightly retarded to permit the proper length of exposure.

Again, assuming the cam ring 12 to be adjusted either to the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 3 (which is for bulb exposure) or to the position shown in Fig. 4 (which is for time exposure) it will be seen that the. lever 20 is engaged by the high point 20ofthe other cam surface ad- As before "explained, the lever 20 is thus held outwardly against the action of the spring 22 in which position the shutter actuating mechanism is placed under high tension so that the opening of the blades 2 is accomplished at a high rate of speed. This is especially necessary on bulb and time exposures to insure accuracy in measuring the lengthof the exsary disclosure of our invention.

The operation of our invention as shown in Figs. 1 to 4 is; as follows: The diaphragm is so arranged thatmovement to the left (in these figures.) of the controlling ring 8 causes a reduction .in the size of the aperture, and the finger piece 8 being connected with the speed controlling cam ring 12 in. the manner shown or in any other desired manner, the operator desiring to take a time exposure moves the finger piece 9 to the left until the pointer 10 lies over the indication T'on the face of the shutter. As explained before, such movement sets the cam ring .12 in a position relative to levers 17 simultaneously and automatically rotates the diaphragm adjusting ring 8 to the left which, as heretofore explained, reduces the diaphragm aperture to a relatively small opening, as for instance F. 22. It will be .readily understood from the foregoing diaphragm to the aperture movement of the finger piece 9 to the right will successively permit exposures of bulb -th,. th and 3 th of a second as desired and simultaneously with such setting the ring 8bwill cause the diaphragm aperbulb as well as the instantaneous exposures.

In Figures 5, 6 and 7 we have illustrated a shutter embodying our invention, modified in that there are but two speed settings, time and instantaneous. In this form the enlarged portion of the speed controlling cam ring 26 is provided with a relatively short slot 27 enlarged at one end to form a single opening 28. It will be seen therefore, that the lever 29 has but two operative positions, one for instantaneous v exposures (shown in Fig. 6) and one for time exposures (shown in Fig. 7), the bulb and higher speeds 50 and 100 having been eliminated. On the periphery of the ring 26, opposite the'slot 27, is a depression 30 similar to the depression 18 shown in Figs. 1 to 4. Adjacent the depression 30 isa single abrupt cam surface terminating in the high point 31. The end 32 of a lever identical with lever 20 engages the periphery of the ring 26 at these points. The depression 30 permits a retarded action in the opening and closing of the shutter leaves to give an instantaneous exposure of approximately th of a second. The high point 31 of the cam places the mechanism of the shutter under tension so that when the shutter is operated on time exposure the shutter leaves will open and close at high speed. i

The diaphragm controlling ring 8 with its finger piece 9 may be connected to the cam ring 26 in the same manner as. in' the previous modification.

The operation of this form of our inven tion is identical with that of the modification first described and needs no further explanation.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that we have devised a new and decidedly improved photographic shutter operation and which combines in-one operation two important adjustments essential to proper picture taking. Our invention answers the long felt need for a photographic shutter which would automatically perform all necessary adjustments with the least possible expense of time, effort or knowledge on the part of the operator.

It is obvious that our invention is of broad application and susceptible to many changes and modifications without departing from the spirit thereof. \Ve do not limit ourselves, therefore, to' thespeciiic embodiments shown and described other, than by the appended claims.

We claim:

-1. A photographic shutter comprising a casing, blades, a diaphragm, a speed controlling element for said blades and a diaphragm controlling element; the two controlling elements being permanently connected. 1

2. A photographic shutter comprising a casing, blades, a diaphragm, a speed controlling element for said blades and a diaphragm controlling element; the two controlling elements being permanently interconnected.

3. A photographic shutter comprising a casing, blades, a diaphragm, a rotatable speed controlling cam for said blades; a diaphragm adjusting element, said cam and said adjusting element being permanently connected.

4. A photogra hic shutter comprising a casing, blades, a 'aphragm, a speed control cam for said blades provided with an upstanding operating member, and a diaphragm control ring provided with an operating member, said latter named member having permanent engagement withthe first named member.

A photographic shutter comprising a casing, blades, a diaphragm, a speed control cam for said blades provided with an upstanding operating member having an opening thereth'rough, a diaphragm control ring provided with an operating member, said latter named member engaging in said. opening whereby the two operating members are connected.

6. A photographic shutter con'iprising a casing, blades and a speedcontrolling element for said blades including a cam ring, a concentric slot enlarged at one end in one side of said ring, cam surfaces on the periphery of said ring, said slot and said cam sur faces cooperating to regulate the kind and speed of an exposure, a diaphragm and means thereon connected to said cam ring for adjusting said diaphragm when said ring is moved to any setting.

7.,A photographic shutter comprising a casing, blades and a speed controlling elewhich is simple in construction, effective in ment for said blades including a cam ring,

' a concentric slot enlarged at one endin one side of said ring, cam surfaces on said ring cooperating to regulate the kind and speed of an exposure, a diaphragm and means thereon connected to said cam rin for adjusting said. diaphragm when sai ring is moved to any setting; said diaphragm ad.- justment causing a relatively small aperhire at one limit of movement of said ring and progressively larger apertures as the ring is moved toward its other limit,

' GEO. lV. TOPLIFF... CARL BORNMANN. 

